Cushing's syndrome is caused by an excess of the hormone cortisol. The most common cause is a pituitary tumor that releases too much ACTH causing the adrenal glands to release excess cortisol. Cushing's syndrome can also be caused by tumors on the adrenal gland itself, or a tumor elsewhere in the body. Cushing's symptoms can also be caused by overuse of steroid medications.
Cushing's can be very difficult to diagnose because many of the symptoms are insidious and come on slowly, and are often common of many ailments. The most common symptoms are:
- Central obesity
- Fatigue
- Moon face
- Purple/red stretch marks
- Thinning hair on your head
- Excess hair on your face or body
- Emotional lability
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering
- Hypertension
- High glucose levels
- Muscle weakness
- Red face
- Acne
- Poor healing wounds
- Easy bruising
- Insomnia
While all of us share many symptoms in common each case is different. If you have been suffering with any of these symptoms, you are your best advocate, ask your doctor to test for Cushing's syndrome!
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